Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival at Christianson’s Nursery

Christianson’s Nursery is an official weigh-off site for the Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC), an international organization, who is sanctioned to submit giant pumpkin world records! Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers with Coastal Farm & Ranch, Skagit Valley Food Co-op, and Mount Vernon Tractor Supply, and floral seed baskets provided by Floret Flower Farm.  9 a.m. – 1 p.m., the day’s events begin with entrants registering for the official Weigh-Off.  Last year’s pumpkin weighed in at over 1300 pounds! Compete in the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off for a cash prize totaling $1500.00! Pay schedule for top 10 heaviest pumpkins may be found at www.ChristiansonsNursery.com.  Be sure to bring your exhibition veggies and sunflowers.  This year the community votes for the ugliest pumpkin during a small intermission. Family fun throughout the day; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., enter the new A-maze-ing Hay Maze hosted by Mount Vernon’s Camp Korey and play the fun family carnival games in the greenhouse.  Enjoy an array of seasonal bites by Random Acts of Food, Yukon Jitter Coffee Truck, The Scone Lady, Northwest Kettle Corn Company, and Absolutely Nuts!; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Beautiful Face Painting ($5, cash only); 11 a.m. – noon, a family favorite “Bat’s Incredible” class in the Schoolhouse with Kathleen Bander; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., enjoy a refreshment at the Anacortes Brewery Beer Garden hosted by La Conner Library Foundation; Noon – 3 p.m., pony rides with Lang’s Traveling Ponies ($5, cash only); 1 – 4 p.m., Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off!, and at 4 p.m., the Giant Pumpkin Winner will be announced!  Giant Pumpkin entry forms for 2019 are available at our Garden Store and on our website. To inquire, visit the Nursery or call 360-466-3821 or 800-585-8200 www.ChristiansonsNursery.com.

Bat’s Incredible!, Saturday, September 21, 2019, 11 a.m. – noon, Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Northwest bats are a curiosity. They are the only mammals that fly. Did you know that bats help control the insect population? Back by popular demand, Kathleen Bander, founder of Bats Northwest, joins the fun at our Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival to talk about the 15 species of bats native to Washington. Learn all about these creatures and their habits along with night-blooming plants that insects are attracted to that Northwest bats eat! Students can be up close and personal with real mounted specimens in small glass-covered boxes. An educational and inspiring class for all! To inquire, visit the Nursery or call 360-466-3821 or 800-585-8200 www.ChristiansonsNursery.com